Their parent(s) are registered, participating parishioners of St. Gabriel Church. Exceptions will be made for students who were in our 8th grade Faith Formation program in 2019/20 but whose parents were not registered parishioners.

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation. The gift of faith and graces given in baptism are sealed with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation will complete the sacraments of initiation for these students as they strive to be disciples of Christ.

What Will Students Learn?

The students will learn about these gifts and fruits and explore their personal journey, using Matthew Kelly’s Decision Point book in small groups of 5-15 students. Classes also involve short videos from Matthew Kelly that allow for discussion afterward.

When Will Classes Begin?

Classes will begin in September 2020 and go through April 2021. Students will meet in class once per month for 8 sessions and will also be required to join in our Youth Ministry activities throughout this period. Students will meet in classes at the church or in in-home groups. See class options below.

Youth Ministry activities are new this year and are being developed under Fr. Richard's guidance. Details will be shared at a later date.

How Do I Register?

We do not yet have a registration date, given the uncertainties about the pandemic stay-home restrictions. When registration opens, information will take place on this webpage. Information will also be available in the bulletin and by email communication directly to the parents of our eligible St. Gabriel students.

The registration fee has yet to be determined.

What Do I Need to Do to Prepare for Registration?

These items will be needed in order to register for Confirmation. Class assignments will not be made without these.

Please find your child’s baptismal certificate now in anticipation of registration. A copy of your child’s baptismal certificate is required if he or she was not baptized at St. Gabriel. Those baptized at St. Gabriel must provide a copy of the certificate or the month and year of Baptism. A baptismal certificate is required for non-Catholic baptisms as well.

Your child needs to choose a sponsor to support them during this period.

The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic and must provide a letter in good standing from their parish.

If your child chooses a sponsor who is still in high school or college, and the family belongs to St. Gabriel, a letter in good standing is not required.

The sponsor can be a relative or friend of the family but cannot be a parent

The sponsor will ideally be able to attend the Confirmation Mass, but if they are not available on the day, a parent or other designee can stand in as proxy.

The student must choose a Confirmation name. It can be:

A saint’s name

The child’s baptismal name

What Are the Class Options?

Classes held at the church: These classes will meet once a month from September – April and students will be required to attend Youth Ministry activities throughout. Class time has not yet been determined.

Classes held through in-home groups. A minimum of 5 students is required. Parents can form an In-Home Study group if they meet all the Safe Environment requirements. These groups pick their students, are supplied all the training materials and can make their own schedule of 8 class periods. In-home groups will also be required to participate in Youth Ministry activities.

Self-home study is not allowed in Confirmation. This is a time when community is important in the learning process.

Catechists Needed – Just 8 Classes!

We need parents – YOU – to serve as catechists. Whether you wish to teach at St. Gabriel or an in-home group. It’s just 8 rewarding classes, and we provide all the materials.

10 hours of service is required this summer for all Confirmation Students. These hours can be community, church or family service hours, as long as they are done without any form of payment. A service hour form will be provided on-line, or you can request a copy.

Weekend Confirmation Retreat: April 23-25, 2021 - Required

A weekend retreat for all Confirmation students is being planned for the weekend of April 23-25, 2021 at Camp Carroway in Asheboro, NC, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Charlotte. Please put this on your family calendar now for next year. This retereat is required for Confirmands.

Confirmation Mass Date: TBD

We will have the Confirmation Mass after all classes and the Retreat have been completed. We will be able to announce this information once Bishop Jugis has set his calendar this fall. All other details are being worked out, so please visit this webpage for updates.